Food & Restaurant franchises: costs, fees and investment
Short answer: Across 1213 brands in the SelectFranchiseList database (compiled October 2026), the median minimum initial investment is $297,082 and the median starting franchise fee is $35,000. The lowest starting investment in this group is Bento Sushi at $2,600.
Food and restaurant franchises include quick-service, fast-casual, full-service, coffee, dessert and bakery concepts. They usually carry the highest build-out and equipment costs in Item 7 and depend on hourly staff and long opening hours.
What do franchises in this group cost?
Franchises in this group have a median minimum investment of $297,082, a median starting franchise fee of $35,000 and a median liquid cash requirement of $80,000, calculated from 1213 brands in the SelectFranchiseList database. Medians use the low end of each brand's reported range.
Which franchises are on the list?
The table sorts 1,213 franchises from the lowest to the highest starting investment, 100 per page. This page shows brands 1101 to 1200.
| Franchise | Franchise fee | Total investment | Min. cash | US units |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Village Inn | $16,000 to $35,000 | $1,075,000 to $2,740,000 | $300,000 | 114 |
| BoomBozz | $30,000 | $1,077,000 to $1,867,000 | $255,000 | 6 |
| Corner Bakery Cafe | $40,000 | $1,090,000 to $2,335,000 | $280,000 | 99 |
| Benvenuto's Italian Grill | $75,000 | $1,091,500 to $4,582,500 | $395,000 | 6 |
| Aladdin's Eatery | $30,000 | $1,095,305 to $2,500,130 | $290,000 | 34 |
| Church's Chicken | $20,000 | $1,114,650 to $1,636,300 | $250,000 | 873 |
| Fluffy Fluffy | $50,000 | $1,119,250 to $3,035,750 | $320,000 | 8 |
| Black Rifle Coffee | $35,000 | $1,122,750 to $2,506,000 | $295,000 | 16 |
| Fire + Ice | $36,000 to $45,000 | $1,125,000 to $3,463,950 | $340,000 | 3 |
| B-Bop's | $25,000 to $30,000 | $1,128,200 to $2,514,200 | $295,000 | 12 |
| Egg N' Joe | $40,000 | $1,146,750 to $3,881,500 | $365,000 | 3 |
| Wissota Chophouse | $50,000 | $1,160,660 to $4,117,147 | $380,000 | N/R |
| Crooked Pint Ale House | $45,000 | $1,181,700 to $2,093,900 | $280,000 | 17 |
| Bruster's | $20,000 to $40,000 | $1,202,620 to $2,644,060 | $315,000 | 206 |
| Steak n Shake | $25,000 | $1,207,909 to $2,695,052 | $315,000 | 233 |
| Anchor Bar | $60,000 | $1,210,000 to $1,835,000 | $275,000 | 17 |
| First Watch | $40,000 | $1,210,150 to $2,028,800 | $285,000 | 474 |
| Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ Restaurant | $50,000 | $1,215,444 to $2,606,540 | $315,000 | 62 |
| Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen | $50,000 | $1,222,045 to $3,923,245 | $380,000 | 3,177 |
| JL Beers | $50,000 | $1,223,000 to $1,883,000 | $280,000 | 10 |
| Slim Chickens | $30,000 | $1,228,900 to $4,466,000 | $410,000 | 207 |
| La Madeleine | $40,000 | $1,230,360 to $2,254,160 | $295,000 | 89 |
| Hooters | $50,000 | $1,233,300 to $4,075,000 | $390,000 | 292 |
| Smashburger | $40,000 | $1,239,500 to $2,255,500 | $300,000 | 194 |
| McAlister's Deli | $35,500 | $1,247,725 to $2,442,200 | $310,000 | 560 |
| Scotty's Brewhouse | $25,000 to $50,000 | $1,259,000 to $2,324,500 | $305,000 | 15 |
| Eggspectation | $50,000 | $1,260,000 to $1,785,000 | $280,000 | 7 |
| Sirloin Stockade | $20,000 to $35,000 | $1,269,000 to $3,158,000 | $350,000 | 46 |
| Shakey's | $35,000 | $1,279,000 to $3,529,500 | $370,000 | 47 |
| Smalls Sliders | $35,000 | $1,297,825 to $1,993,734 | $295,000 | 21 |
| Famous Dave's | $28,000 to $35,000 | $1,299,250 to $4,510,750 | $420,000 | 109 |
| Sizzler | $35,000 | $1,329,750 to $2,607,750 | $330,000 | 129 |
| Kajiken | $50,000 | $1,337,500 to $2,612,500 | $330,000 | 3 |
| Lee's Famous Recipe | $35,000 | $1,340,600 to $2,353,900 | $320,000 | 126 |
| World Of Beer | $50,000 | $1,346,100 to $1,996,974 | $300,000 | 51 |
| Barrio Queen | $50,000 | $1,346,250 to $3,515,750 | $380,000 | 8 |
| Schlotzsky Austin Eatery | $35,500 | $1,348,545 to $1,951,300 | $300,000 | 308 |
| Taco John's | $40,000 | $1,365,000 to $2,120,000 | $310,000 | 340 |
| Logan's Roadhouse | $40,000 | $1,366,500 to $3,294,000 | $370,000 | 136 |
| Hardee's Traditional | $25,000 | $1,375,000 to $2,637,395 | $340,000 | 1,571 |
| GRIMALDI's PIZZERIA | $50,000 | $1,389,800 to $1,835,000 | $300,000 | 46 |
| Johnny's Italian Steakhouse | $75,000 | $1,400,000 to $4,400,000 | $430,000 | 13 |
| Old Chicago Pizza & Taproom | $40,000 | $1,417,500 to $2,876,000 | $355,000 | 83 |
| On The Border Mexican Grill | $30,000 | $1,425,500 to $5,058,000 | $465,000 | 134 |
| Panera Bread | $35,000 | $1,434,566 to $4,651,324 | $450,000 | 2,206 |
| Zaxby's | $35,000 | $1,445,000 to $3,810,500 | $405,000 | 969 |
| Pollo Campero | $30,000 to $40,000 | $1,454,650 to $3,750,500 | $405,000 | 92 |
| McDonald's | $45,000 | $1,470,500 to $2,728,000 | $355,000 | 13,559 |
| Dos Coyotes | $40,000 | $1,471,500 to $1,793,500 | $310,000 | 11 |
| Rock & Brews | $50,000 to $250,000 | $1,478,000 to $4,416,000 | $440,000 | 15 |
| Carl's Jr. | $25,000 | $1,486,000 to $3,176,500 | $380,000 | 1,032 |
| Freddy's | $35,000 | $1,487,598 to $2,753,566 | $360,000 | 550 |
| Del Taco | $35,000 | $1,497,200 to $3,321,000 | $390,000 | 594 |
| Buffalo Wings & Rings | $0 to $40,000 | $1,503,100 to $2,015,500 | $325,000 | 60 |
| Fazoli's | $50,000 | $1,510,500 to $2,399,500 | $345,000 | 207 |
| DQ Grill & Chill | $45,000 | $1,516,200 to $2,543,050 | $355,000 | 1,971 |
| Black Rock Bar & Grill | $50,000 | $1,519,940 to $2,957,625 | $375,000 | 17 |
| Elmer's | $40,000 | $1,520,750 to $4,672,125 | $460,000 | 20 |
| Wahlburgers | $50,000 | $1,530,000 to $2,785,000 | $370,000 | 25 |
| Huey Magoo's Chicken Tenders | $35,000 | $1,540,100 to $2,995,500 | $380,000 | 71 |
| Black Bear Diner | $24,000 to $55,000 | $1,546,200 to $2,349,000 | $350,000 | 162 |
| Walk-On's Bistreaux & Bar | $60,000 | $1,554,500 to $7,016,300 | $585,000 | 75 |
| Arwa | $35,000 | $1,556,400 to $3,833,400 | $425,000 | 3 |
| Ruby Tuesday | $35,000 | $1,559,650 to $3,877,400 | $430,000 | N/R |
| Giordano's | $40,000 | $1,565,000 to $2,056,000 | $340,000 | 60 |
| California Pizza Kitchen | $50,000 | $1,587,000 to $5,375,000 | $505,000 | 131 |
| Jinya Ramen Bar | $40,000 | $1,612,500 to $3,546,000 | $420,000 | 62 |
| Melting Pot | $36,000 to $45,000 | $1,617,128 to $2,740,600 | $380,000 | 89 |
| Denny's | $30,000 | $1,618,374 to $3,056,874 | $395,000 | 1,334 |
| Wings Etc | $25,000 | $1,618,650 to $2,881,100 | $385,000 | 80 |
| Green Mill | $45,000 | $1,671,700 to $2,493,000 | $375,000 | 16 |
| Sonic Drive-In | $15,000 | $1,676,000 to $3,140,900 | $410,000 | 3,461 |
| Mellow Mushroom | $50,000 | $1,688,000 to $2,906,000 | $400,000 | 165 |
| Baekjeong | $300,000 | $1,713,000 to $2,147,000 | $365,000 | 7 |
| Jason's Deli | $35,000 | $1,719,655 to $2,529,255 | $385,000 | 237 |
| Chili's | $40,000 to $60,000 | $1,806,195 to $6,515,695 | $595,000 | 1,214 |
| Brothers Est. 1967 Bar & Grill | $50,000 | $1,810,500 to $2,574,500 | $400,000 | N/R |
| Tom's Urban | $50,000 | $1,821,000 to $5,090,500 | $530,000 | 5 |
| Honest | $25,000 | $1,862,000 to $2,689,000 | $415,000 | 40 |
| Long John Silver's | $35,000 | $1,902,500 to $4,160,000 | $495,000 | 483 |
| Jack In The Box | $50,000 | $1,910,500 to $4,032,100 | $490,000 | 2,188 |
| CoCo's Bakery | $50,000 | $1,925,000 to $2,848,000 | $430,000 | 55 |
| Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza | $50,000 | $1,987,250 to $3,696,125 | $485,000 | 60 |
| Burger King | $50,000 | $2,064,200 to $4,730,500 | $545,000 | 6,701 |
| Bombshells Restaurant & Bar | $50,000 | $2,094,000 to $4,820,500 | $555,000 | 10 |
| Pizza Ranch | $30,000 | $2,101,500 to $2,962,000 | $465,000 | 218 |
| O'Charley's | $15,000 to $40,000 | $2,104,500 to $3,140,000 | $475,000 | N/R |
| Jollibee | $40,000 | $2,131,495 to $4,888,004 | $565,000 | 77 |
| Tony Roma's | $40,000 | $2,138,500 to $3,536,000 | $500,000 | 17 |
| Mr Gatti's Pizza | $50,000 | $2,143,000 to $3,837,097 | $515,000 | 91 |
| Twin Peaks | $50,000 | $2,254,000 to $6,946,000 | $685,000 | 103 |
| Blue Martini | $50,000 | $2,295,000 to $4,680,000 | $580,000 | 10 |
| IHOP | $50,000 | $2,441,798 to $4,506,865 | $590,000 | 1,655 |
| Ruth's Chris Steak House | $100,000 | $2,477,000 to $6,380,000 | $690,000 | 135 |
| Culver's | $20,000 to $55,000 | $2,642,500 to $8,573,000 | $825,000 | 997 |
| Bojangle's Famous Chicken'n Biscuits | $35,000 | $2,650,870 to $3,829,400 | $590,000 | 830 |
| Red Robin | $35,000 | $2,705,000 to $5,785,000 | $695,000 | 498 |
| TGI Fridays | $50,000 | $2,721,000 to $4,326,000 | $625,000 | 269 |
| Buffalo Wild Wings | $12,500 to $25,000 | $2,882,845 to $4,883,320 | $675,000 | 1,183 |
| Buona | $40,000 | $2,916,867 to $5,256,675 | $700,000 | 31 |
N/R = not reported.
How do you compare franchises from this list?
Compare franchises from this list by putting each brand's Item 5 fee, Item 6 ongoing fees and the high end of the Item 7 investment side by side, then checking Item 20 for closures and transfers. The guide to franchise costs explains each line, and the 8-step selection process shows the order of due diligence.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a food & restaurant franchise cost?
Across 1213 brands in the SelectFranchiseList database (compiled October 2026), the median minimum initial investment is $297,082 and the median starting franchise fee is $35,000. The lowest starting investment in this group is Bento Sushi at $2,600.
How much cash do I need to buy a franchise in this group?
The median minimum liquid cash requirement in this group is $80,000. Franchisors set their own capital requirements, and lenders usually finance part of the total investment.
Are these figures guaranteed?
No. The figures come from franchise disclosure data and public listings and change with every annual FDD. Confirm fees in Items 5 and 6 and the investment in Item 7 of each brand's current FDD.
Other franchise industries
- Home Services franchises
- Fitness franchises
- Education & Children franchises
- Retail franchises
- Business Services franchises
- Other Franchise Businesses franchises
- Hotels & Travel franchises
- Healthcare & Senior Care franchises
- Beauty & Personal Care franchises
- Automotive franchises
- Real Estate franchises
- Pet franchises
Figures are compiled from franchise disclosure data and public listings as of October 2026 and may have changed. Brand names belong to their owners; listing does not imply endorsement. Not an offer to sell a franchise.